FG to Introduce Bonding Policy for Scholars Studying Abroad to Ensure Return and National Contribution
The Federal Government plans to introduce a bonding policy for Nigerians studying abroad on government scholarships.
TETFund chief Sonny Echono said the move will ensure scholars return home to aid national development.
The Federal Government has announced plans to introduce a bonding policy for Nigerians studying abroad on government-sponsored scholarships to ensure they return to the country and contribute to its development after completing their studies.
This was disclosed by the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Sonny Echono, during the inaugural TETFund National Town Hall Meeting held on Wednesday in Abuja.
Echono explained that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to address the growing trend of beneficiaries of government-funded scholarships refusing to return home after their studies.
He noted that the President had expressed concern over the issue, describing it as unfair to the country. “The President has instructed that while foreign training should continue, beneficiaries must be properly bonded to guarantee that they return and make meaningful contributions to national progress,” he said.
Echono described the situation as a significant obstacle to Nigeria’s human capital development and stressed that the forthcoming policy is designed to protect public investment in education and research.
He added that the government also intends to focus on key sectors where Nigeria needs to enhance its global competitiveness and ensure that scholars trained in those fields return to strengthen the local workforce.
“When people receive training through public funds, they are expected to come back and use their expertise to help build the nation’s economy,” Echono remarked.
He further revealed that more than 130 government-sponsored scholars have failed to return after their programmes abroad, based on a recent assessment of about 40 institutions a situation he said reflects a persistent challenge the new policy aims to resolve.
